Education

Velma Lumadi Education Nominee # ZuriAwards 2021 is the Founder Saniaga Community Libraries. Based in Vihiga County she has a passion for reading and saw a need of other kids to experience that at an early age by opening a library.

Elizabeth Muriuki Education Nominee # ZuriAwards 2021 is the Founder Serene Haven. Which admits teenage mothers exclusively with their babies. She runs a day care centre inside the school that take cares of the babies while the students attend class.

Esther Muchiri- Wamai is a highly experienced Special Needs Educator, working very much at the forefront of Special Educational Needs education. She is passionately committed to inclusive education and its ability to transform lives. Esther champions for inclusion of children and young adults with Learning/Intellectual Disabilities in different facets such as Education, Employment and in Social Programmes.

Grace Waithira, an educator with over 25 years experience in Early Years Education teaching, believes that educators have a responsibility to foster a mindset of self-learning in children, so she created resources for learning (Twiga Books) for young children that encourage curiosity, develop independence with natural progression, and are fun and engaging.

Margaret Njeri Education Nominee #ZuriAwards 2022 is the face behind Tafi Autism foundation. Tafi Autism Foundation deals with young ( early intervention) and youth with autism. They train vocational skills like candle making which the youth produce and sell. Additionally they do hydroponic farming for planting greens, poultry and mats, strings art with the Austic youth.

N’Zani Kassim Zani is a dynamic communications specialist and co‑leader behind the Hijabi Mentorship Program. An organisation based in Kwale County that empowers women and girls through mentorship, advocacy, and sport. With over a decade of experience crafting powerful narratives and engaging media strategies, she brings both passion and precision to the organisation’s mission. N’Zani helped build the program from its 2018 beginnings into a respected voice for gender equality and youth empowerment in coastal Kenya, championing initiatives in sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence prevention, and economic opportunity.

Founded in 2017 by Dorris to empower youths via mentorship and leadership training. It targets high school and university students .

The Trust organizes programs focused on personal development, decision-making, communication, and servant leadership.

The Mentorship with Empowerment Project spans four years, emphasizing academic transition, leadership, and life skills .

The trust initiated a book donation drive (story books, textbooks, dictionaries) to build and manage a library.

Dorothy Dulo is the founder and CEO of Rafiki Africa Foundation. After studying nursing in the U.S., Dorothy returned to her home village of Rachuonyo, Homa Bay and got devastated by the illiteracy levels. Her parents were caring for dozens of orphans, often holding classes under a tree .

Seeing that food and shelter were not enough, Dorothy helped build Lighthouse Academy, a K–8 school that now serves around 200 children ,75% of whom are girls This offers education aligned with the Kenyan curriculum .

Lencer June Achillah is the founder and director of Ciala Foundation, a community-focused organization committed to empowering youth and women through education, mentorship, and sustainable development initiatives. With a background in social work and a passion for equity, Lencer leads programs that address challenges such as unemployment, gender inequality, and limited access to education in underprivileged communities. Her work focuses on nurturing leadership, fostering entrepreneurship, and building resilient communities. Through Ciala Foundation, she continues to drive meaningful change by equipping individuals with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive and lead empowered lives.

Mercy Odondo is a Human Rights Defender, Conversationalist, Community Journalist, and Passionate Community Servant. She is the Founder and Director of The Kenya Annual Human Rights Debate and Gender Dialogues Community-Based Organization (GD).

A YALI RLC Fellow (2020) and ACT Advocacy Academy Fellow (2024), Mercy leverages the power of theatre, debates, and community dialogues to create safe and empowering spaces for adolescent girls and women in Kisumu County, while fostering strategic partnerships.

Founded in 2018, Gender Dialogues (GD) empowers women and girls through art and evidence-based approaches in health, education, and community organizing. The organization also addresses gender equality, climate change, governance, human rights, and peace and security, with the ultimate goal of transforming the lives of women and girls across Kenya.